90/90 traction board

ABSTRACT

A 90/90 traction device having a bed with an overhead traction frame, from which is suspended, by cables, a horizontal traction board for supporting the calves of the legs in a horizontal position above the bed. Leg bands connected to weighted cables passing over pulleys at the foot of the bed apply traction to the vertically disposed thighs of the legs. The board is provided with resilient material over the front and top, so as to prevent loss of circulation in the legs and is provided with arresting cables attached to the head of the bed to prevent movement of the board toward the foot of the bed. The various cables are adjustable in length.

United States Patent 1 Rush 0 1 Apr. 2, 1974 90/90 TRACTION BOARD [76] lnventor: Charles D. Rush, Rt. 4, Box 324E,

Albany, Ga. 31705 [22] Filed: July 12, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 271,145

[52] US. Cl. 128/75, 128/84 R [51] Int. Cl A61h 1/02 [58] Field of Search 128/75, 84, 85, 70, 71

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,452,733 4/1923 Garlock 128/85 3,472,224 10/1969 Ewerwahn 128/85 3,461,864 8/1969 Coss 128/85 3,593,708 7/1971 Steele 128/75 2,053,753 9/1936 Wellington 128/84 3,583,398 6/1971 Bailey 128/85 3,426,753 2/1969 Streckfuss 128/85 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko [57] ABSTRACT A 90/90 traction device having a bed with an overhead traction frame, from which is suspended, by cables, a horizontal traction board for supporting the calves of the legs in a horizontal position above the bed. Leg bands connected to weighted cables passing over pulleys at the foot of the bed apply traction to the vertically disposed thighs of the legs. The board is provided with resilient material over thefront and top, so as to prevent loss of circulation in the legs and is provided with arresting cables attached to the head of the bed to prevent movement of the board toward the foot of the bed. The various cables are adjustable in length.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 r 90/90 TRACTION BoAgp BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a 90/90 traction device and is more particularly concerned with a traction device for applying traction to the lumbar region of a patients spine through application of static forces on the thighs or femur portions of the legs while supporting the calves or tibia portions of the legs in their horizontal positions.

In the past, numerous devices have been suggested for applying traction to the lumbar region of the back. The most widely used devices have usually simply applied a static pull to the leg of the person as the person lies in bed or has tended to pull the leg in some form or fashion so as to apply tension to the back. Such an arrangement is uncomfortable and doesnot achieve useful results in many instances.

The present invention which is quite comfortable and will permit the tension to be applied to the back over an extended period of time includes a conventional hospital bed on'which is arranged the basic overhead traction frame. Suspended, by four equal length spaced vertical cables, from the traction frame is a traction board or platform which is disposed in a horizontal position spaced above'the' surface of the bed, adjacent the foot of the bed. This board or platform is preferably square or rectangular and is covered with a thick layer of formed rubber or foamed plastic material. To prevent movement of the board in the direction of the foot of the bed, a pair of cables are connected to the forward portion of the board and extend toward the head of the bed, being secured to the traction frame at the head of the bed. Thus, the board, while permitting limited lateral movement and forward movement, is arrested from any appreciable rearward movement beyond theextend to which the cables will permit.

A pair of leg bands extend respectively around the femur portions or thighs of the leg, as high as possible toward the groin. These leg bands are'respectively provided with cables that extend over pulleys disposed at the foot of the bed, the cables thence hanging pendent and terminating in weights which provide a static pull to these cables.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a traction device which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in structure and efficient in operation.

Another object of the present invention is. to provide a traction device which will support the thighs of the legs in vertical positions and the calves of the legs in horizontal positions, known as 90/90 traction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a traction device which is comfortable and will permit Other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

form or board and traction weight of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the traction platform or board of the traction device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the adjustable link of a cable of the traction device described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the attachment of a front supporting cable and arresting cable to the traction board or platform of the device illustrated in FIG. 1', and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the attachment of a rear supporting cable to the traction board or platform.

DETAILED, DESCRIPTION Referring now in detail to the embodiment chosen for the-purpose of illustrating the present invention, numeral l0 denotes a conventional hospital bed having a frame 11 and mattress 12. The frame 11 includes the forward legs 13 and the rear legs 14. Legs 13 extend upwardly and arev joined by an upper crossbar 15, an intermediate crossbar l6, and a lower crossbar 17. In like fashion, the legs 14 are provided with crossbars, such as upper crossbar 18. The legs 13 and the crossbars 15, 16 and 17 form the head of the bed while legs 14 and the crossbars, such as crossbar 18, form the foot of the bed frame.

The head, i.e., crossbars l5 and 16, are provided with brackets 20 and 21, respectively, which support an upstanding standard '22 of the overhead traction frame, denoted generally by numeral 30.'The standard 22 is bent forwardly and upwardly intermediate its ends so that the upper portion of the overhead frame is offset inwardly and terminates in an upper bracket 23. In like manner, the foot of the bed is provided'with an upstanding straight tubular foot standard25 which is supported from the crossbars, such as'crossbar 18, by brackets, such as bracket 26. The upper end of the standard 25 is provided with a bracket 27, the brackets 23 and 27 supporting a longitudinally extending horizontal work bar 31 disposed centrally over the ,bed.

Brackets 32 and 33 on the longitudinally extending work bar .31, support spaced parallel transversely extending crossbars 35 and 36. These crossbars 35 and 36 extend in a common horizontal planeon both sides of the work bar 31.

Depending from and supported on the end portions of work bar 35 are a pair of flexible rear supporting cables 37 and 38. In like manner, the end portions of crossbar 36 support flexible front supporting cables 39 and 39a. Each of the cables 37, 38, 39 and 39a is provided with a washer-like flat annular metal locking grommet or ring 40, best seen in FIG. 4 in conjunction with the cable 37.

In more detail, each of the end portions of the cables 37, 38, 39 and 39a is provided with an identical looping arrangement, such as illustrated for cable 37 in FIG. 4. These looping arrangements or adjustment means each include an overhand knot 41 at the extremity of the cable 39, followed by a half hitch 41a around the grommet or washer 40. Thereafter, there is a slip loop '42 which extends away from and returns to the washer 40, the cable 37 being then provided with a bite 43 around the washer 40. By loosening the bite 43, the length of the loop 42 may be adjusted as desired to vary the effective length of the cable 37. 'When, however, tension is applied to the depending portion of cable 37, the grommet or washer 40 is locked with respect to the cable 37 and will not ordinarily slip.

The flexible cables 37, 38, 39 and 39a form suspension means to swingably suspend, in a horizontal position over mattress 12, a flat, square or rectangular platform or traction board 50. This traction board or platform 50 is preferably made from durable plywood, the board 50 being approximately equal or slightly longer than the length of the calf of a persons leg and being wider than the width of both legs of the person. The forward corner portions of the traction board 50 are provided respectively with a pair of front holes 51 while the rear corner portions are provided with rear holes 52. As seen in FIG. 5, the cable 39 at an intermediate portion is provided with an overhand knot 53 immediately above the hole 51 and another or similar overhand knot 54 immediately below the hole 51. The cable 39a is arranged in the same manner as cable 39. In like fashion, rear cables 37 and 38 pass respectively through the rear holes 52 and then are provided with overhand knots, such as knot 55, at their end portions.

Leading from the knot 54, the cable 39 forms a static line 39b while the cable 39a forms a similar static line 39c. These static lines 39b, 39c extend forwardly on opposite sides of the prone patient in the bed abd are connected at the head of the bed to a static line crossbar 57. The end portions of the static lines 39b and 390 are provided with adjustment means or adjustable loops 58 and 59 which extend around the crossbar 57, the adjustable loops 58 and 59 being identical in construction to the adjustable loop illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, the cables 39b, 390 form arresting means for the board 50, arresting movement of the platform toward the foot of the bed.

The crossbar 57, as seen in FIG. 1, is supported at its end portions by brackets 60 and 61 which, in turn, are supported onthe ends of stub shafts 62 and 63 being supported by brackets 64 and 65, respectively, on the crossbar 15. Also, a bracket 66 on the standard 22 supports the central portion of the crossbar 57.

In order to provide a confortable cushioning means for the calves of the legs, traction board 50 is covered with a foamed elastomeric cushion or sheet material 70 which is preferably foamed rubber. In more detail, the cushion material 70 is inwardly of the cables 37, 38, 39 and 39a, forming a rectangular sheet of resilient material provided over the upper surface of the traction board 50 and extends forwardly, looping around the forward edge 71 of the traction board 50 and extending rearwardly therebeneath for a short distance. A suitable adhesive secures the sheet of resilient material 70 in place on the traction board 50.

It is significant that this resilient foamed rubber material or sheet 70 should be from 2 inches thick to 6 inches thick and preferably 3 inches thick. It should also be in a loose looped condition passing around the forward edge 71 so as to leave a space 72 between the edge 71 and the sheet 70. The sheet 70 thus forms a U- 4 shaped loop with a very resilient transversely extending nose, denoted generally by numeral 73. The bottom portion 74 of the sheet 70 terminates intermediate the end forward edge 71 and the rear edge 75 of the board 50. The end 76 of the sheet 70 terminates substantially coplanar with the edge 75.

For applying constant tension on the lumbar region or back of the patient, a pair of Kodel leg bands or straps 78 and 79 are passed respectively around the thighs or femurs of the patients legs, as high as possible toward the groin. These leg bands 78 and 79 loosely encompass the thighs and are provided with tensioning cables 80 and 81 which extend approximately parallel to each other and parallel to cables 39b and 390 toward the foot of the bed passing respectively over pulleys 82 and 83. Thereafter, the cables 80, 81 extend downwardly to terminate in weights, such as weight 86 seen in FIG. 2. The pulleys 82, 83 in turn, are supported by chains 84 and 85 from a foot crossbar 86, which is supported by a bracket 87 from the foot standard 25.

By this 90/90 traction, i.e., the thighs of the legs being disposed vertically and the calves of the legs being disposed horizontally, the hips of the patient are in a slightly raised position so that there is essentially no friction to counteract or overcome the pull of the weights, such as weight 86 in FIG. 2. The constant pull by cables 80, 81 is exerted on the thighs so as to place a tension on the backbone of the person, particularly in the lumbar region, as the traction frame supports the thighs of the legs in an elevated horizontal position.

Because of the cushion sheet 70, no appreciable loss of circulation is suffered, even though the legs are suspended in the position as illustrated in FIG. 1 for extended periods of time. Furthermore, any tendancy of the calves of the legs to move rearwardly will be arrested by the static cables 39b and 390. If the lower region of the persons body needs raising or lowering, simple manipulation of the loops, such as loop 42, will raise or lower the board 50. Furthermore, if adjustment forwardly or rearwardly in the bed is required for the board 50, manipulation of the loops 58 and 59 will accomplish this. In some instances, adjustment of the lob. suspension means secured to said traction frame for swingably suspending said platform in its horizontal position above said surface;

c. adjustment means connected to said suspension means for adjustingthe height of said platform above said surface;

cl. cushion means on the upper surface of said platform for cushioning the calves of the patients legs when the calves are disposed on said platform;

e. arresting means for arresting movement of said platform in the direction of the foot of the bed;

f. straps for extending around the thighs of a patient when the patient is prone on the bed with the calves of his legs on said platform; and

g. cables extending from said straps for applying a force in the direction of the foot of the bed on said strapsv 2. A traction device for operation in conjunction with a bed and an overhead traction frame on said bed, comprising a substantially rectangular platform of a length and width sufficient to support the calves of a persons legs in a horizontal position spaced above the upper surface of the bed, said platform having perforations in the comers at its ends, a pair of cables each of which is connected at one end to said frame and at its other end connected to the corners of said platform through said perforations to support said end from said frame, and a second pair of cables each of which is connected at one end to said frame and extends downwardly through said perforations and thence substantially horizontally to the head of the bed, the other ends of the cables of said second pair being secured to the head of the bed, whereby movement of said platform in the direction of the foot of the bed will be arrested.

3. A traction device as in claim 2 comprising adjustment means connected to each of the cables of said second pair, each said means including a washer and each said cable forming a loop through said washer, provided with a half hitch around the washer.

4. A traction device as in claim 3 wherein the upper surface of said platform is provided with a foam rubber cushion.

5. A traction device as in claim 2 further including straps for extending around the thighs of a patient when said patient is prone on the bed with the calves of his legs on said platform, and cables extending from said straps for applying a force in the direction of the foot of the-bed on said straps. 

1. A traction device for operation in conjunction with a bed and an overhead traction frame on said bed, comprising: a. a flat platform of a length and width sufficient to support the calves of a person''s legs in a horizontal position spaced above the upper surface of the bed; b. suspension means secured to said traction frame for swingably suspending said platform in its horizontal position above said surface; c. adjustment means connected to said suspension means for adjusting the height of said platform above said surface; d. cushion means on the upper surface of said platform for cushioning the calves of the patient''s legs when the calves are disposed on said platform; e. arresting means for arresting movement of said platform in the direction of the foot of the bed; f. straps for extending around the thighs of a patient when the patient is prone on the bed with the calves of his legs on said platform; and g. cables extending from said straps for applying a force in the direction of the foot of the bed on said straps.
 2. A traction device for operation in conjunction with a bed and an overhead traction frame on said bed, comprising a substantially rectangular platform of a length and width sufficient to support the calves of a person''s legs in a horizontal position spaced above the upper surface of the bed, said platform having perforations in the corners at its ends, a pair of cables each of which is connected at one end to said frame and at its other end connected to the corners of said platform through said perforations to support said end from said frame, and a second pair of cables each of which is connected at one end to said frame and extends downwardly through said perforations and thence substantially horizontally to the head of the bed, the other ends of the cables of said second pair being secured to the head of the bed, whereby movement of said platform in the direction of the foot of the bed will be arrested.
 3. A traction device as in claim 2 comprising adjustment means connected to each of the cables of said second pair, each said means including a washer and each said cable forming a loop through said washer, provided with a half hitch around the washer.
 4. A traction device as in claim 3 wherein the upper surface of said platform is provided with a foam rubber cushion.
 5. A traction device as in claim 2 further including straps for extending around the thighs of a patient when said patient is prone on the bed with the calves of his legs on said platform, and cables extending from said straps for applying a force in the direction of the foot of the bed on said straps. 